Women & Girls Funds Task Force on Public Policy

Truly, women’s equality is not just a women’s issue. It affects the wellbeing and prosperity of every family and community.

Co-chairs Carol J. Williams, Ph.D. and Margaret M. O’Shea, Ph.D.

In 2017, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut commissioned DataHaven to develop a report on The Status of Women and Girls in Eastern Connecticut. The report is rich with data and context that speak to both the challenges and opportunities of advancing gender equality across our region. The purpose of this report is to help inform and guide thoughtful conversations and inspire local ideas for social and policy advancements and investments. Individually and collectively, there are attitudes we can shift, actions we can take, and investments we can make so that we can all reach our full capacity and enjoy life in thriving communities in Eastern Connecticut.

After launching The Report in 2018, the Community Foundation created the Women & Girls Funds Task Force on Public Policy to initiate and support policies to remove barriers for the advancement of women and girls. This task force is co-chaired by Margaret M. O'Shea, Ph.D., of Old Lyme, a retired professor at University of Saint Joseph and Carol J. Williams, Ph.D., of Willimantic, a retired associate dean of continuing education at Eastern Connecticut State University.

The Community Foundation, along with the newly developed task force and our four Women & Girls Funds’ committees, are working to advance advocacy efforts supporting women and girls. We have held advocacy trainings (open to all) and welcome inquiries from interested people in our community.